Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Open Thread

by BooMan
Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 07:31:45 PM EST

I'm all talked out on health care reform. I hope Pelosi knows what she's doing and that she's right that we're passing the damn bill.

Many Israelis are worried that a rift is opening up with the United States. I don't want a rift, I just want it to be the US telling Israel what to do, and not the other way around. Who's footing the bill in this relationship anyway?

Socialists and National Fronters are on the upswing in France. European Tribune has coverage.

Anyone want to discuss Dodd's bill?

Or, whatever?

Open Thread | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Open Thread (none / 1)

I want a rift; it's clear that this "special relationship" isn't and hasn't been in our best interests. I want a secular single-state government. That's what I want. That will create a rift.

About Dodd's bill: I am cautiously optimistic. Many on the left won't be happy that the CFPA will be housed inside the Fed, but if it's structured correctly, this could be a very shrewed move at passing a CFPA altogether. Saying we should either pass the CFPA outside of it, totally independent, or pass nothing at all is stupid. This would only work if the Republicans agreed to the premise of a CFPA in the first place; they don't, they want no CFPA. Therefore, drawing a line in the sand is stupid politically and economically.

Second, people will tell Obama that he should use the bully pulpit on this, and make people take those hard votes on a completely independent CFPA; as in, make it a do-or-die moment, and those who vote against it, rail against them. Hmm, interesting, but very risky. We don't know what the issues will be in the next elections, for one; wasn't immigration reform supposed to dominate the election cycle of 2008 way back when? And yet here we are, talking about health care and financial reform. Second, leadership chooses what's on the table. If it dies here, mark my words, just like health care, it won't be revisited for another 10-15 years.

So all and all, I like this bill. No dillydallying, though. Pass it immediately. If there's anything in there regarding carve outs with payday lenders and such, things Obama has repeatedly been against, I don't expect them to make it past committee.

by seabe on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 07:45:45 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 1)

The U.S. should have kicked Israel to the curb decades ago.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 08:06:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

This is true, but even if this rhetoric coming from the WH is empty, which ultimately I suspect it is, it's still illustrating that the tensions are the highest they've been since Jimmy Carter, or at minimum George Bush the first. No lobby is more powerful than the military, and if you have Petraeus and Mullen getting pissed off, there's an opening for true progress. The man is asking for the Israel/Palestine thing to be under his umbrella. Why would he ask for it if not for dissatisfaction?

It's so sad that the ADL cannot even handle harsh words or letters, as if Zionists speak for Jews.

by seabe on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 08:14:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 1)

Assuming that Abe Foxman made those remarks in his capacity as a private citizen and not as the head of the Anti-Defamation League, that is certainly his right. But, I really think he does damage to the mission of combating anti-Semitism, which I fully support, when he injects himself into U.S.-Israeli relations.

by BooMan on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:08:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Yes, I largely agree. Just because it's your right to do something doesn't mean it's the "right" thing to do; even if it's justified.

The ADL has lost my support a long time ago, though. It's just another arm of Israel, which again is sad, because I'm sick and tired of Zionism being conflated with "Jew." It's not fair, and antisemitism only continues to grow when the two are seen as synonymous because of Israel's crimes, especially in the region as a whole. I see it among my friends on the left as well, and it's really disheartening. Of course I've been called both a Zionist and an antisemite...lol.

by seabe on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:52:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Whatever Dodd has to do to pass the bill, I'm going to be for it. I mean, there are some limits to that, but not really. The House version is better, but, as always, you need 60 votes in the Senate and we only have fifty-nine. I am totally okay with the Republicans filibustering this bill, but I want them to do it as close to election day as possible. Let Dodd get the thing passed in the Senate and then let the Republicans filibuster the bill once it has been merged with the House version. In other words, don't sweat Dodd.

by BooMan on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:12:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Now I cannot be in that camp, even if I keep your comments in context. If it's not adequate to solve the next crisis, people will just rail against government intervention as the problem, which is ridiculous (and when it comes to regulation, I'm fairly conservative, as I think corrections need to be made, but a welfare state with less regulation is better than a hack-job welfare state with regulations that depend on the President in office). Of course, regulations regarding finance are different: for some reason, finance doesn't "correct itself" like the rest of the market, so I support a lot of regulation here.

Either way, I cannot say which bill is better. I'm waiting for the financial lawyers I trust before saying too much about it, but from what I've heard thus far, it's a good bill in its present form.

by seabe on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:38:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 1)

I posted this comment on my Facebook stream today linking to the huffpost article about AIPAC lashing out at Obama:

"There's some serious alpha-male jockeying going on here, and it's getting ugly. Israel demands the right to embarrass the United States at will and without reproach; the US asserts that embarrassing the United States hurts our relationship.

My take: if you're such a staunch ally, act like it. Act like you appreciate the umbrella of security we provide, act like you appreciate the multi billions of dollars per year that we lavish upon you and which forms the backbone of your budget, act like you appreciate the easy access to highly advanced military technology we spend hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars developing, and act like you are serious about peace in the Middle East. Then you can talk about what the United States should do."

by bologna on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 07:52:37 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

I'll choose "whatever" for $500, Alex.

My porter seems to have completed fermentation in ONE DAY. Beer brings me so much more pleasure than health care reform, Israelis, Dodd's bill, Rielle Hunter's icky photos, Grayson's smackdown, and everything else I can think of off the top of my head.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 08:50:15 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

your gravity is right? That was fast.

by BooMan on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:04:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

gravity was right on the nose: porter has a range of 1.040-1.050, and I hit 1.042.

The yeast, I must add, was well-cultured and very lively. It's wyeast american ale (1056) and I had already used it in a philly pale ale clone, and an amber that's in the secondary. A few years ago at the Tangiers DL, Tom Keough (yards owner) told me that with large amounts of hungry yeast (which I had) can do a full fermentation in a day or two.

And I have noticed that fermentation isn't 100% done, it's still bubbling, but much slower than before.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 08:18:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

Mmmm...wyeast 1056 makes a good ale. I used it for a brown ale that was quite tasty.

by jqheywood on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 10:25:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

it really does, doesn't it!
i made an all-simcoe pale ale a few weeks ago with the 1056 (I reuse the yeast cake up to 3 times) and man it was just delicious.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 12:20:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

we're all in need of a little levity... (none / 0)

vote for murray hill inc. for congress.

the logical extension of the supremes' ruling Corporations are people too!

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 09:10:52 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

In non-breaking news: J.D. Hayworth is still a horse's ass.

We are condemned to kill time, thus we die bit by bit - Octavio Paz / Latino Político

by Man Eegee (man.eegee at gmail dot com) on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 10:07:37 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

The irony is the story about Caligula making his horse a senator, which is the office that J.D. Hayworth seeks.

About the horse. You were wondering when I was going to get to this one, weren't you? Several of the ancient sources make mention of Caligula's favorite horse, Incitatus, and how the emperor pampered it with a marble stable, an ivory manger, a jeweled collar, and invitations to banquets. Though not mentioned in the 1979 film, there is a persistent belief that Caligula made the horse a consul. Even the Encyclopedia Britannica once repeated this claim as fact, but has since retracted it. There is no basis in the sources to support the idea that the horse was ever actually elevated to the position. Dio and Suetonius do claim he promised to make the horse consul but died before he could fulfill his plan. Among the modern fictional works surveyed, only The Robe has Caligula actually elevating the horse to a consulship. I, Claudius has him make the horse a senator and nominate him for the consulship. If there is anything more than baseless rumor behind the idea that he promised to make the horse a consul, modern historians are inclined to treat it as a joke on Caligula's part rather than a serious vow.
It is clear at any rate that he had a great fondness for the horse. But not one of the ancient sources ever hints that the fondness was of a sexual nature. If the 1979 film implies bestiality, that would seem to be an invention of the filmmakers. I say "if" because I'm not sure what the filmmakers intended to convey, and I'm quite sure I don't want to delve too deeply into their minds. There are two scenes of interest. In the first, Caligula (fully clothed) is seen stroking the horse's flank. In the next scene, the horse is lying in Caligula's bed. It's obvious what is implied, right? Maybe not, because by this time Caligula was far too ill to do anything naughty with the horse in his bed. Everyone agrees he was close to death and not expected to survive. No one really knows what disease he suffered from but there has been a lot of speculation. What were the symptoms? Well, it all started when his throat felt a little hoarse . . .

by BooMan on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 10:41:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Open Thread (none / 0)

maybe he's been hanging out with neal horsley.

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 12:37:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

On healthcare reform: the critical moves now are what the strategy is for following up the passage of a flawed bill with more fixes and passage of a public option and waivers for state single-payer pilots.

On Israel: I opine that I would not like to be on the receiving end of a 43-minute phone call with Hillary Clinton after having dissed the Vice President of the United States. I trust she reminded Netanyahu of the US's budget difficulties and what might be a source of savings in our foreign aid budget.

On Dodd's bill: Looks pretty much like the Obama-Geithner bill to me.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 10:47:22 PM EST

Re: Open Thread (none / 0)

For Some reason I don't believe Toyota.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100316/ap_on_bi_ge/us_runaway_prius;_ylt=Ag04hbcR80DZGdXqWpFdC5WyBhIF;_ ylu=X3oDMTJodTlmdW1qBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzE2L3VzX3J1b

by americanforliberty on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 11:27:28 PM EST

Who's footing the bill? (none / 0)

The Lobby is.

by Don Bacon on Mon Mar 15th, 2010 at 11:53:04 PM EST

Ugly American (none / 0)

I don't want a rift, I just want it to be the US telling [insert sovereign nation here] what to do, and not the other way around.

I seem to think it's telling sovereign nations what to do that causes rifts, be we the teller or the told. If we deign tell any nation what to do then we shouldn't be surprised when they tell us to go attempt the anatomically impossible, just like how we flip the bird to pretty much anyone who tries to tell us what to do.

It's The American Way™...

I'm finally getting married...

by Oscar In Louisville on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 12:51:36 AM EST

Re: Ugly American (none / 0)

The US has serious budget deficits, or so I hear. I know where we can save a few billion if some sovereign nation in particular is really not interested in peace in their neighborhood. If they are not interested in peace, we cannot be subsidizing their "security".

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 06:48:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ugly American (none / 0)

Hasn't it been obvious since...forever?...that they're not interested in peace? They've never been interested in peace, they've just been interested in more security and land-grabs.

by seabe on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 07:49:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ugly American (none / 0)

I'm sure their security would be just fine without US aid. Our metal merchants who are the actual recipients of the majority of that aid? Not so much...

I'm finally getting married...

by Oscar In Louisville on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 09:50:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Earthquake here (none / 0)

I was awake, had just turned on MSNBC, was hearing about "deeming" a bill passed, when suddenly it felt like someone or something had just jumped on my bed. I sat up to look and realized I was in the middle of a medium-sized earthquake.

I jumped out of bed and stood in the door frame (as taught) until the shaking stopped. Then I put on clothes, looked for my purse and keys in case I had to leave suddenly, turned on the computer, saw friends tweeting about the quake across town, and am now wondering if I'll get back to sleep.

This used to be a no-biggie occurrence. But ever after Northridge, I take all quakes seriously.

"If you look for the social economic motive, you will not have to wait for history to tell you what was propaganda and what was truth." - George Seldes

by Real History Lisa (lpeaseRemoveThis@gte.net) on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 08:01:38 AM EST

Wake-up Call (none / 0)

Early Morning Quake Shakes SoCal

(NBC) - A magnitude-4.4 earthquake shook the LA area early Tuesday morning. The earthquake's epicenter was in the Pico Rivera area, about 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The quake along the Whittier Fault occurred at 4:04 a.m., according to the USGS. There were no reports of significant damage.

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Tue Mar 16th, 2010 at 08:15:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Open Thread | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Go to: [ Booman Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]

. Home
. About
. Contact
. Advertise
. FAQ
. Search

Username:
Password:

. Make a new account
. Reset password

Gift Cards * New Arrivals

THE BOOKS WITH "BUZZ":
______________

The roots of the bubble and the story of Wall Street's collapse can be told no clearer — nor with as much humor — as by Michael Lewis. If you read only one book that explains the current economic crisis, make it The Big Short.
:

"The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
by Michael Lewis

Check out the new biography of Barack Obama that is getting rave reviews:

The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama
David Remnick.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story:

True Compass: A Memoir
by Edward M. Kennedy.

Read Barack Obama's vision for America:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
by Barack Obama

Boran2 and maryb2004 recommend:

The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime
by Jasper Fforde

Must-have information for all presidents-and citizens-of the twenty-first century?

Physics for Future Presidents: The Science behind the Headlines
Richard A. Muller

rae recommends:

Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire
by Morris Berman.

On BooMan’s shelf:

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin

This looks interesting:

Adventure Divas
by Holly Morris

Check out
Powell's new section:
NEW FAVORITES
Selected new arrivals at 30% off

Recommended by Indianadem and ejmw:
The Conscience of a Liberal
by Paul Wellstone

From northcountry’s bookshelf:

The New Golden Age:
The Coming Revolution Against
Political Corruption and Economic Chaos by Ravi Batra

Great Deals
----- * ^ * -----

Find mystery novels by Nancy Pickard ("Kansas")

Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power by Phyllis Bennis (interviewed on DN!)

Featured by Keith Olbermann, New (Powell's Sale): Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower by William Blum (whose other books merit serious consideration)

"Explosive" State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration
by James Risen

The book the CIA doesn't want you to read: Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander
Larry Johnson's review

BT's all-time best seller:

PERMACULTURE:
A Designers' Manual
$79.95 * Sale: $59.95

Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History (Third Edition)

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor And Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car!

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan

Green Press Initiative
----- * ^ * -----

Journalistas: 100 Years of the Best Writing and Reporting by Women Journalists by Eleanor Mills * NYT review

Bury Me Standing: the Gypsies & Their Journey

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus

Brokeback Mountain
by Annie Proulx
----- * ^ * -----
Check out Powell's
"At The Movies"

Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post-9/11 World by Noam Chomsky (Power & Terror: Post 9-11 Talks)

The Price of Privilege:

How Parental Pressure and
Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of
Disconnected and Unhappy Kids
by Madeline Levine

Save 35-70% on
name brand clothing,
footwear, and outdoor gear
at SierraTradingPost.com
:

We listened to PEN American Center's "State of Emergency" and found 1940s books by Curzio Malaparte only at Alibris. (Selection (MP3) excerpted from "The Skin.")

Banned Books * Are you a fan of Film Noir, Art House, Documentaries or Hong Kong Action? * Searching for a long-lost children's book or a first printing of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue on vinyl? Find it at Alibris!

:
:

Booman Tribune Homepage
admin@boomantribune.com
powered by Scoop

More blogs about Blogs at Technorati.

Technorati Profile